[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 172 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         HONORING DON SAYLOR ON HIS 45 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2022

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Don Saylor 
on his retirement from the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, following 
an incredible 45-year career devoted to serving the people of Yolo 
County. Throughout Mr. Saylor's public service career, he has 
demonstrated a sincere commitment to improving his community and an 
unyielding zeal for addressing the pressing challenges faced by the 
residents of Yolo County.
  Born in rural Wyoming, Mr. Saylor witnessed firsthand the effects of 
poverty and food insecurity on American families. In response to these 
hardships, he also experienced the innovation and resiliency that 
occurs when a community unites as one to overcome adversity. These 
childhood experiences instilled in Mr. Saylor a passion for community 
work and a strong belief in the importance of helping those most 
vulnerable.
  After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming, 
Mr. Saylor went on to earn his master's degree from the Lyndon B. 
Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. 
During this time, he served as Research Assistant to former 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. He credits this experience with teaching 
him the foundational principles of public service, always doing what is 
right and including those different from oneself.
  Throughout his 27 years in elected office, Mr. Saylor served as Mayor 
and City Council Member for the City of Davis, President and Trustee of 
the School Board for the Davis Joint Unified School District, and 
presently, as the Yolo County District 2 Supervisor. In these 
positions, Mr. Saylor helped address many major community concerns 
through the implementation of educational enhancement programs, the 
creation of the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency, and the adoption of 
the most visionary affordable housing ordinance in the state of 
California.
  As Yolo County District 2 Supervisor, Mr. Saylor committed himself to 
the betterment of his community. He worked ceaselessly to enhance the 
safety net for Yolo County's most vulnerable populations, combat food 
insecurity and inequitable access to healthy food in his community, and 
strengthen the local economy through investment and strategic 
partnerships. In 2012, Mr. Saylor launched the Yolo Food Connect effort 
to address food access and food security issues as part of an overall 
food systems policy approach.
  Mr. Saylor has exemplified genuine public service throughout his 
personal and professional endeavors. In 2004, Mr. Saylor founded Soup's 
On, an entirely volunteer-run event that brings the Yolo County 
community together to fundraise for a local nonprofit. Since the 
inception of Soup's On, the event has raised over $400,000 for 
nonprofits including Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services of Yolo 
County and the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network.
  While his presence on the Board of Supervisors will surely be missed, 
Mr. Saylor's 12 years of service to the residents of Yolo County has 
undoubtedly left a legacy that will last for many years to come. I 
would like to extend my sincere gratitude for Mr. Saylor's dedicated 
service to the people of Yolo County and wish him and his family my 
best as he enters retirement.

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